2 Samuel 24

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

God’s Judgment on Israel Because of David’s Pride

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The sin of David’s pride was very serious.

  2. The site of David’s sacrifice is very significant.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Let’s not give offerings to the Lord that cost us nothing.

QUESTIONS

  1. Do we know the reason for the Lord’s anger in verse 1?

  2. Why was this census against God’s will?

  3. What were David’s choices for punishment for his pride?

  4. Why did David choose three days of pestilence for his punishment?

  5. What was significant about the site of David’s sacrifice?

ANSWERS

  1. No, but there is a good possibility that it was national pride on the part of the whole nation – a pride that led David to number the military strength of the nation.

  2. In taking this military census, David was not trusting in the Lord for protection, but rather in his military forces.

  3. Three years of famine; three months of military defeat; or three days of pestilence

  4. This choice put David more directly in the hands of the Lord. Even in a time of judgment, David knew that the Lord was a God of mercy, certainly more merciful than famines or enemy armies. David also chose the discipline that would directly affect him the most, since he acknowledged he was the cause of the problem.

  5. The threshing floor that David bought from Araunah the Jebusite became the site of Solomon’s Temple. This was Mount Moriah and there is a very good possibility that this was the very site where Isaac was brought for sacrifice by Abraham. This is also the site where the Temple stood at the time of our Lord’s earthly ministry and it will be the site of the future temple during our Lord’s kingdom reign on earth.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Discuss the sin of pride. Do you find that the sin of pride is often the source of your other sins? The sin of pride always affects others and has serious consequences.

  2. Think back over your study of 2 Samuel. What insights have you gained from studying the very real life of David? Now think of David as a spiritual picture of Christ. What is the most significant thing you have learned in this sense?

CHALLENGE

  1. Let’s not give offerings to the Lord that cost us nothing.

KEY VERSES

  • “Again the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, ‘Go, number Israel and Judah.’” 2 Samuel 24:1

  • “And David said to Gad, ‘I am in great distress. Please let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man.’” 2 Samuel 24:14

  • “And David built there an altar to the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD heeded the prayers for the land, and the plague was withdrawn from Israel.” 2 Samuel 24:25

2 Samuel, Old Testament, TalksRon Reid2 SAMUEL 24